Biographies

Mr. Alan R. Hodnik is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Hodnik is ALLETE's Chairman, President, and CEO. Since joining the Company in 1982, Mr. Hodnik has served in many capacities, including in organizational development and managing electric generation facilities from 1995 to 2005, with an increasing scope of leadership responsibilities. In 2005, Mr. Hodnik was named Vice President-Generation Operations; in 2006, he became Senior Vice President of Minnesota Power Operations; and he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2007, assuming responsibility for subsidiaries, SWL&P and BNI Energy, at that time. Mr. Hodnik was elected President of ALLETE in May 2009, CEO in May 2010, and Chairman in May 2011. Mr. Hodnik is a director for PolyMet Mining Corporation (NYSE-A: PLM; TSX: POM), serving as the chair of its compensation committee and as a member of several other committees, including its nominating and corporate governance committee. He also serves on the board of EEI and as president of the Board of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, an operations-focused electric industry trade association. Mr. Hodnik is also a director of Essentia Health System, where he is a member of its physician compensation, finance, and executive committees. Mr. Hodnik served as the elected mayor of the City of Aurora, Minnesota from 1988 to 1997. Mr. Hodnik has served the Company for more than three decades, working in a wide variety of positions with increasing responsibility. He has extensive experience with both regulated utility and non-regulated utility operations, strategic planning, leadership, organizational development, and governmental affairs. Mr. Hodnik brings a deep understanding of the natural resource industries that ALLETE and its energy businesses interact with and serve.

Mr. Robert John Adams has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of the Company, effective March 4, 2017. He was Senior Vice President – Energy-Centric Businesses, Chief Risk Officer of Allete, Inc. Adams joined the Duluth-based company in 1987 as a financial analyst. He was involved in several successful startups, including Enventis Telecommunications and Split Rock Energy. He also led Reach-All Manufacturing for a period in the early 1990s. He was named chief risk officer and vice president of business development in 2008, promoted to vice president of energy-centric businesses in 2014 and added the title of senior vice president of energy-centric businesses in 2015. The role of CFO is familiar to Adams, having served in that capacity in the past for Minnesota Power and Split Rock Energy.

Ms. Bethany M. Owen is the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer of the Company. Since June 23, 2014, Ms. Owen has held the position of Vice President – Information Technology Solutions and President – SWL&P. Prior to that she held the positions of Vice President and President – SWL&P from February 2012 through June 2014 and President – SWL&P from August 2010 through February 2012.

Ms. Deborah A. Amberg is the Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer – Regulated Operations and President – SWL&P, a subsidiary of the Company. She educated at the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Law School. At ALLETE, she Began as an attorney and was named Senior Attorney in 1998. She was named General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and vice president of Corporate Legal Services in 2004. She was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2006.

Mr. Bradley W. Oachs is the Senior Vice President and President – Regulated Operations of the Company. Since September 12, 2009, Mr. Oachs has held the position of Chief Operating Officer – Minnesota Power.

Mr. Steven W. Morris is the Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Controller of the Company. Mr. Morris joined the Company in 2001 as Manager of Financial Reporting and Budgeting for Minnesota Power. In 2005, he was appointed Director of Internal Audit for ALLETE and in 2010 was appointed the Director of Accounting.

Mr. Patrick L. Cutshall is the Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Cutshall has been with ALLETE for 26 years, beginning in 1989 when he joined utility affiliate Minnesota Power as a financial analyst in Accounting. He moved to Investments and Analysis in 1990 where he held various leadership roles before being promoted to manager-Investments in 2009 and director-Investments and Tax in 2014. Cutshall is a Certified Public Accountant and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. A 1987 graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a bachelor's degree in accounting, he was an auditor at Ernst & Whinney before joining Minnesota Power.

Ms. Heidi E. Jimmerson-Eddins is an Lead Independent Director of the Company. Ms. Jimmerson is the former executive vice president, secretary, and general cof Florida East Coast Railway, LLC, a railway company that is a successor to Florida East Coast Industries, Inc.'s transportation business. She joined Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. in 1999, and was responsible for all legal and governmental affairs of the corporation in addition to managing a variety of real estate transactions until her retirement in 2008. She is a board member of non-profit organizations in St. Johns County, Florida. In 2017, Ms. Jimmerson successfully completed the National Association of Corporate Directors' Cyber-Risk program, through which she earned a Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight from the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Ms. Jimmerson brings diversified business experience, and expertise in public company corporate governance and strategic planning.

Ms. Susan K. Nestegard is Director of the company. Ms. Nestegard was president of global healthcare of Ecolab, Inc. (NYSE:ECL), a global supplier of water, hygiene, and energy services, from 2010 to 2012; executive vice president, global healthcare from 2008 to 2010; and senior vice president, research, development, and engineering, and chief technical officer from 2003 to 2008. Ms. Nestegard has more than 20 years of experience with 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) in product development and business unit management, driving revenue expansion through innovation. Also an individual innovator, Ms. Nestegard holds 26 patents in her name. Ms. Nestegard is a director and audit committee member of Hormel Foods, Inc. (NYSE:HRL). She is also an advisor for True Wealth Ventures, a venture capital fund focusing on investments in women-led businesses in high-growth markets where women are the primary customers. From 2013 to 2017, she served as a director of American Capital, Ltd, a private equity and global asset management company that merged, in 2017, into Ares Capital Corporation. From 2013 to 2017, Ms. Nestegard was also a director of Alcami Corporation, a pharmaceutical company based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and, in 2014, she served as the company's interim chief executive officer. Ms. Nestegard is an experienced corporate officer and director who brings extensive experience in project management, product development, and strategic thinking. She also brings insight into the value of the nexus between energy and water as well as a demonstrated passion for supporting women in sciences and in corporate leadership.

Mr. Robert P. Powers serves as Director of the Company. Mr. Powers retired in August 2017 as vice chair and senior advisor to the chairman and chief executive officer of American Electric Power Company (NYSE:AEP), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States with more than five million customers in eleven states. Prior to becoming vice chair, Mr. Powers served in numerous leadership positions at AEP, including as executive vice president and chief operating officer of AEP from 2010 to 2016; president of AEP utilities from 2008 to 2010; executive vice president of AEP east utilities from 2006 to 2008; and executive vice president of generation from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Powers also spent 16 years with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, rising to site vice president and plant manager at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Generating Station, and six years with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a health physicist. Mr. Powers is a longtime, active member of EEI and the former chair of the Center for Energy Workforce Development, an organization focused on recruiting technical talent to utilities. Mr. Powers is a longtime, active member of EEI and the former chair of the Center for Energy Workforce Development, an organization focused on recruiting technical talent to utilities.

Ms. Kathryn M. Dindo is an Independent Director of the Company. She is a member of the Audit Committee. From 2001 to 2008, Ms. Dindo was the vice president and chief risk officer of FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE: FE), a diversified electric company. Ms. Dindo is a certified public accountant who was a partner at Ernst & Young and later served as a senior financial executive at Caliber System, Inc. (formerly Roadway Services, Inc.), a transportation services company, before joining FirstEnergy in 1998. Ms. Dindo serves as a director and audit committee member of The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM), which manufactures and markets branded food products. She also serves as a director and chair of the audit committee of Bush Brothers & Company, a privately owned food processing and manufacturing company. Ms. Dindo is also a director of Shoebox Private Trust Company, LLC and a member of the distribution committee of the GAR Foundation, a non-profit making community investments in the Akron, Ohio region. Ms. Dindo is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules. She has extensive experience with public company financial reporting and oversight, and a broad business perspective. Ms. Dindo also brings experience in electric utility risk management.

Mr. Sidney W. Emery, Jr. is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Emery, the owner and chief executive officer of Supply Chain Services, LLC, a nationwide, value-added provider of barcode scanning equipment, has served in those roles since 2010. Mr. Emery served as the chairman and chief executive officer of MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC), a global supplier of mechanical testing systems and industrial position sensors, from 1998 to 2008. For years, Mr. Emery served as a director, chair of the compensation committee, and member of the audit and governance committees of Urologix Inc., a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of minimally invasive medical devices; Mr. Emery's role with Urologix, Inc. ended in February 2016 when the company transitioned to private ownership. Mr. Emery brings experience as a public company chief executive officer, strategic planning and diversified business experience, and extensive knowledge about executive compensation matters.

Mr. George G. Goldfarb is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Goldfarb is the president and chief executive officer of Maurices Incorporated, a retailer of womens' apparel and wholly owned subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDQ: ASNA). He has served as Maurices Incorporated president since 2011 and as chief executive officer since 2015. From October 2016 to January 2018, Mr. Goldfarb was the president and chief executive officer of the Value Fashion Segment of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., which included the Duluth-based Maurices brand and the Mahwah, New Jersey-based Dressbarn brand. Mr. Goldfarb served as chief operating officer of Maurices Incorporated from 2006 to 2011 and as its chief financial officer from 2001 to 2006. Prior to his career in the retail fashion business, Mr. Goldfarb worked in public accounting at Kolquist, Seitz & Goldman, LLC in Duluth. Mr. Goldfarb serves on the Chancellor's Advisory Board for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Mr. Goldfarb is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC rules. He brings a wealth of business knowledge and experience that includes deep ties to and insights into the local and regional economy as well as extensive national branding experience.

Mr. James S. Haines, Jr. is an Independent Director of the Company. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Haines was the chief executive officer and a director of Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE: WR), the largest electric energy provider in Kansas. He has also served as chief executive officer of El Paso Electric Company (NYSE:EE). Mr. Haines is a member of the board of FirstSun Capital Bancorp, based in Denver, Colorado, and its affiliate community bank, Sunflower Bank. Mr. Haines also serves on the board of The Land Institute, a research organization based in Salina, Kansas, focused on developing sustainable agricultural practices. Mr. Haines has had a long career of public utility experience, having served as chief executive officer of two public utilities. He brings expertise in legal and regulatory matters, strategic planning, finance, and executive compensation.

Mr. James J. Hoolihan is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Hoolihan is Until his retirement in December 2017, Mr. Hoolihan served as chief executive officer and chair of the board of Industrial Lubricant Company, which provides industrial supplies and services to logging, railroad, taconite, and coal mining industries. He is the owner and president of Can-Jer Industrial Lubricant, Ltd., which operates in Canada. From 2004 until September 2011, Mr. Hoolihan was the president and chief executive officer of the Blandin Foundation, a private, philanthropic foundation whose mission is to strengthen communities in rural Minnesota, particularly the Grand Rapids area. From 1981 to 2004, Mr. Hoolihan was the president of Industrial Lubricant Company. From 1990 to 1995, he served as the elected mayor of the City of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Mr. Hoolihan is a director of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, a non-profit that collaborates with partners in the public and private sectors to support working forests and forest-reliant communities. He also currently serves as a trustee for the Blandin Foundation and co-trustee for the Charles K. Blandin Residuary Trust. Mr. Hoolihan is also a trustee for the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Mr. Hoolihan is a long-time community leader in the Company's electric utility service area. He brings a deep knowledge of the industries and political issues of the service area, as well as business experience related to serving these industries.

Ms. Madeleine W. Ludlow is an Independent Director of the Company. Ms. Ludlow provides consulting services regarding investments in private equity transactions. From 2009 to January 2011, she was a principal of Market Capital Partners LLC and from 2005 to 2009 was a principal of LudlowWard Capital Advisors, LLC, both of which were Ohio-based investment banking firms serving middle market companies. Ms. Ludlow was the chair, chief executive officer, and president of Cadence Network, Inc., a web-based provider of utility expense management services from 2000 to 2004. She was formerly the vice president and chief financial officer of Cinergy Corp. Ms. Ludlow is the founder and chair of the board of directors of West Capital Advisors, LLC, which provides strategic and development advisory services for corporate innovation. She also serves on the board of the Ohio National Fund, Inc., a registered investment company with 25 separate investment funds. Ms. Ludlow also serves on the board of directors and as audit committee chair for the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, a non-profit that facilitates investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Ms. Ludlow, an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules, brings deep experience with and a sophisticated understanding of investment banking and finance. She was a senior executive at a public utility and has worked closely with entrepreneurial and diversified businesses.

Mr. Douglas C. Neve is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Neve provides financial consulting services. Mr. Neve is the former executive vice president and chief financial officer of Minneapolis-based Ceridian Corp., a multinational human resources company, where he worked from February 2005 until March 2007. He is a certified public accountant who, prior to February 2005, was an audit partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP, a public accounting firm. Mr. Neve serves as a director, chair of the audit committee, and member of the executive committee of Tyndale House Publishing, Inc. Mr. Neve is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules and brings to the Company his knowledge of public accounting, corporate reporting, and risk management. His financial background includes experience as an executive of a publicly traded company.

Mr. Leonard C. Rodman is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Rodman is the retired chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Black & Veatch, a major provider of engineering and construction services to the electric utility, power generation, water, environmental, and telecommunications industries. Mr. Rodman had served as president and chief executive officer of Black & Veatch since 1998 and as its chairman since 2000, before retiring in 2013. Mr. Rodman served as a director and member of the audit committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City until his term ended in December 2016. He is currently chair of the board of National Association of Corporate Directors, Heartland Chapter. Mr. Rodman's career serving utilities and other regional industries has spanned over 40 years. He has led a large, internationally diversified company and has strategic planning knowledge and experience. Mr. Rodman also brings insights and experience with board leadership.

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